response to Matt's prompt #3 Goldenberg Shor Kozol Carlson Johnson

Matt said that the students in his class were diverse. This is in contrast to my class which appeared to be 100% minorities. Obviously, in a diverse classroom, it is much more difficult, because of the variety. Multiple approaches are required. Matt stated this when he said that the teachers need to keep track of all the different students and what reading levels they are at. Each academic/cultural group are in different places and need to be met where they are at. That is why Goldenberg mentioned using culturally relevent stories(instructional modifications for English learners). We need to use different approaches for different people because we're all in different places. We need to know our audience.

When Matt mentioned students using hands on computer programs for extra help, it reminded me of Shor and his emphasis on participatory education. The hands on approach gives the students a sense of ownership of their educational process. Also, the use of bilingual teaching assistants, which I agree with Matt is an excellent aid or tool. Kozol's article. Matt mentioned that there were to few of them. This related to Kozol in that the school probably couldn't afford them. This then becomes a matter of funding, school budgets, and economic reasons (such as tax base). Kozol talked about "cheap children and expensive children". It also reminded me of our class discussions on property tax valuations in the diffent RI cities and towns that we looked at and discussed in class.

Matt's mentioning of some students lack of English literacy remined me of my own math class where we have sixth graders who can't do multiplication, division, and don't know what the sum means. Although everyone in my class appeares to speak English fluently, it still puts them at a disadvantage when trying to compete with/in the "normalizing society" (Carlson) and the "systems of power and priviledge" (Johnson). A financial lack wil not empower them enableing them to succeed in the general society and culture. Then we will not have "democratic education".